On Friday night, a group of us were invited to Mom and Adam’s house. They wanted to get together for a potluck movie.Unlike a potluck dinner, everyone brings snacks along. We enjoy munching away as we watch a movie together.
The guests included my dad, Lolly and Gerald, Stanley and me, and the Bickermans. Jack and Mitzi couldn’t make it. Barbara Bickerman refused the invitation as soon as she found out her husband would be there. It took some arm twisting by my mom and Stanley to convince her to come.
Before the movie, we all sat in Mom and Adam’s living room, chatting. I decided to comment on the one new decoration in the room. When Adam returned from his trip, he brought back a gift for Mom.
“That’s a beautiful angel figurine, Adam,” I said with a smile.
Adam looked at my mom. “When I saw it, I thought of your mother. I consider her my angel.”
My mom blushed and beamed back a look that told me she was very pleased with his compliment. “Thank you, Adam.”
Stan Sr. who’d been sitting in a chair off to the side, stood up. After a quick glance at Barbara, he looked at Adam. When he spoke, his voice was quiet yet firm. “I’m happy for you, Adam. I know what it’s like to have an angel in one’s life. I had one for nearly forty years. Then, one night she flew away.” He took a deep breath and looked around at the rest of us. “Sorry, folks, I have to go. Enjoy the movie.”
Before anyone could speak up, Stan Sr. was already leaving the room. Stanley got up and went after his father, but he soon returned. He looked as confused as I felt, and he went over to where his mother sat. “Are you okay, Mom?” he asked.
Barbara shook her head and started to cry. “I’m sorry, everyone, but it’s all too much.”
I wanted to cry too. And I did. I guess I’ve been holding back a lot whenever I’ve been around the Bickermans. Now, in a gush of tears, I started bawling. Stanley stood hovering over both his mom and me, looking pale and puzzled. I’m sure he felt like hewas sinking in the waters of misery that Barbara and I shed in abundance.
Before anyone could figure out what to do with the two of us, a very strange thing happened. I looked over at Barbara at the same time as she glanced at me. When our teary eyes met, we both started laughing and crying at the same time. Soon the laughing won out. Or maybe a good cry was what we both needed to clear some of our emotions. When I looked at Stanley and then at the others in the group, all I saw was surprise and bewilderment.
Luckily, I knew what to do. I took Barbara’s hand. “No matter what you think, your husband is crazy about you.”
Barbara nodded. “Yes, I think you’re right.”
After our exchange, my mom took action. She came over to where we sat and smiled. “Barbara, Glory, would you two like to freshen up?”
As soon as she asked the question, I thought about my makeup. With my body looking very pregnant, I’ve been extra attentive when it comes to applying mascara and eyeliner. I’m sure my reasoning was flawed. I had the crazy idea that people would pay attention to my face and not my expanding body. However, I don’t use waterproof products. I imagined my perfect makeup job was ruined.
I gave Barbara another smile. “Mom’s right. Let’s freshen up.”
Soon we were both standing in Mom’s upstairs bathroom. It’s nice and big with a double sink. A large mirror spans the length of a pretty vanity that has a white, quartz countertop. The first time I toured the house, I was impressed. The people who remodeled the rooms made sure the baths and kitchen had a touch of elegance.
Unfortunately, when I looked in the mirror, the woman staring back frightened me. “Oh, my goodness,” I cried out, “I look like I stepped out of a Halloween film.”
Barbara immediately came to my rescue. She handed me a damp washcloth and crooned out some words of comfort. “My dear Gloria, you look like a woman who cares.”
“Really? I think I made a fool of myself. You had a reason to cry, but I’m not sure what came over me. I’m sorry.”
Barbara turned on the taps, took back the washcloth and ran it under the water. After she wrung out the excess, she started to gently pat down my face. “Please never apologize for being a very empathetic person,” she said.
“Or maybe I’m a big crybaby.”
Barbara laughed. “It’s strange, but I’ve never been one to cry very much. Since I left Stan, I want to cry all the time.”
“You said you loved him too much.”
“I’ve been thinking about that statement, and I’m not sure why I made it.”
“Please, can we talk about it?” I asked. “You’ve been married a lot longer than I have. I’m interested in your take on love.
Barbara handed me the wash cloth and stepped back a little. “Tonight was such a shock. When Stan called me his angel, I couldn’t believe he felt that way. I don’t know if I ever realized how much Stan loved me.”
Before I could digest what Barbara said, there was a knock on the door and my mom calling out to us. I quickly opened the door.
Mom leaned in. “Are you two okay? Do you need anything?”
“I’m fine,” I said. I turned to Barbara. “How about you?”
